Roller for centrifugal casting molds



April 0, 1943. H. B. 'WESSENGER ETI'AL 2,316,827

ROLLER FOR CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MOLDS Filed July 25) 1941 gwua/wfow Harald IE1 -Wesseng er dam E5 1:-Mart'1n Patented Apr. 20, 1943 ROLLER FOR CENT RIFUGAL CASTING OLDS Harold B. Wessenger, Metlford, and James L.

Martin, Lowell, Mass.

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 1 Claim.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government-for governmental purposes, without the payment to us of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a centrifugal casting mold, and in particular to a roller therefor.

For such machines it is customary to carry the heavy rotor and mold in a sling of three coplanar rollers at each end, preferably with two beneath the rotor and one above with resilient elements in the organization, the top roller unit. for instance, to allow for thermal expansion of the casting machine. 'I'he'present invention has reference to a mounting for such a .top roller.

The roller mount ng of the invent on cons sts of a yoke having roller bearings for the spindles of a top roller and having a central suspension from the roller framework and cushioning units for the ends of the yoke. The location of bearin s at the spindles removes them from the zone of heat and consequent damage, and the resilient mounting permits rocking of the yoke consecment upon unequal thermal movements of the machine and other causes. The provision of the resilient members directly above the spindle bearings is also of increased effectiveness in cushioning the same.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a resiliently mounted roller for a centrifugal casting machine which shall be of increased cushioning effectiveness.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a roller for centrifugal casting machines having roller bearings removed from the zone of intense heat of the machine. It is a further, object of this invention to provide a resilient mounting for rollers on centrifugal casting machines which will permit a degree of rocking in the plane of the machine axis.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of elements described hereinafter and pointed out in the claim forming a part of this specification.

A practical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein the single figure shows a side view in axial section of a roller and mounting.

Referring to the drawing by characters of ref erence, there is shown a framework with arcuate sides I and a rim portion 2 bolted thereto as at 3. The sides I have openings 4 and cover plates 5 bolted thereover. Bores 6 are provided, one at each side of the rim, to accommodate heavy coil springs l, and cover plates 8 are bolted above the bores 6 to retain the springs l. Springs I bear against a yoke 9 and the springs are held against lateral displacement by the heads of screws In in the yoke 9. Yoke 9 is connected to the rim 2 by a single suspension comprising a bolt ll loosely fitted in the rim and threaded into the yoke, and the head 12 of the bolt ll carries the load when the roller is not resting on the casting rotor. The bolt H is a means of adjusting the roller for various sizes of rotors.

The roller I3 is rotatably mounted through its shaft M to the arms l5 of the yoke 9 in suitable bearings shown generally at IS. The particular construction of the bearing itself forms no part of the present invention and need not be described in detail since any conventional type may be employed.

A zone of heat will exist at the bottom of the roller l3 at the rotor and thus the placing of the hearings in the yoke arms l5 removes them from the harmful effects of such heat. The loosely fitted bolt ll permits a slight degree of rocking of the yoke 9 and the coil springs I are advantageously located at the ends of the rocking yoke to afford maximum cushioning effect with ready restoration. Furthermore the position of the springs 1 over the bearings I5 contributes to the smooth functioning and a consequent longer life thereof.

We claim:

A roller for centrifugal casting machines comprising a frame, a yoke with a roller member rotatably mounted between the arms thereof, a member medially positioned on the yoke constituting an adjustable suspension of the yoke from the frame and cushioning means between the yoke and frame on each side of said member.

HAROLD B. WESSENGER. JAMES L. MARTIN. 

